Writing a Eulogy

Derek was identified at work as an extremely conservative human being who had a very good attendance record. He never attended any of the happy hours after work and it was recognized throughout the department that he was a deeply religious individual who usually talked about the dangers regarding alcohol abuse and addiction to alcohol in our country.

Try to imagine the surprise within the company when one Monday morning Derek did not show up for work and not a soul had heard from him. Actually, it wasn’t until close to 8:30 in the morning that the human resources department received a phone call about Derek from the local city jail.

Derek Goes Out Partying Along With a Number of His University Pals

Evidently, Derek went out drinking along with a number of his college dorm mates Saturday night and at some time about 3:45 Sunday morning, Derek was arrested for a DWI. Because his blood alcohol content level (BAC) was particularly high, he had to spend one day in the downtown jail.

Derek Talks to His Manager and The Human Resources Manager

When Derek arrived at work on Tuesday morning, he instantly informed his superior what had transpired and he asked if he might possibly go and talk to the Human Resources director about his “driving while intoxicated” arrest.

When he got to the HR department and met with the director, he spelled out that he hadn’t been inebriated since his university days and that he was very humiliated about his DWI arrest. He also stressed the point that he needed some assistance selecting a highly trained and effective DWI lawyer who would represent his DUI case. In other words, Derek really wanted the Human Resources manager to agree that he needed to see a DUI attorney.

The Human Resources manager told Derek that he needs to see someone in the company employee’s assistance program to discuss any potential drinking issue that he might have. The HR manager also mentioned that he needs to explain his need to hire a DUI attorney to represent him concerning his DWI case.

Moreover, the Human Resources manager told Derek that it was really positive that he wanted to hire a “drunk driving” attorney simply because of the complexities and problematic outcomes that are affiliated with a DUI conviction.

The Human Resources director could tell that Derek was noticeably disappointed and embarrassed by this overall situation. As a consequence, he informed Derek that while he doesn’t believe that conscientious men and women ought to ever get behind the wheel right after consuming alcohol, sadly these circumstances at times come to pass to particularly good people.

The Human Resources manager then said that since such a state of affairs can’t be undone, what’s essential is what the person does from this moment in time forward. As reported by the Human Resources manager, “does the man or women learn from his/her blunders or does he or she develop a pattern of alcohol related difficulties that cause the person long-term pain and suffering”?

Fortunately, Derek Did Not Have a History of Irresponsible and Heavy Drinking

Just before finishing their discussion, the Human Resources manager informed Derek that it was very positive that he doesn’t have a record of irresponsible and abusive drinking. Furthermore, he hasn’t had an alcohol-related predicament since his college days (which was roughly 10 years ago). As a consequence, Derek should be in a position to confront his “drunk driving” arrest with sorrow but also with a belief that he will confront and work through this problem and become a better individual down the road.

Derek thanked the Human Resources manager for his helpful and stimulating words and then walked over to the company employee’s assistance program to discuss his “driving under the influence” arrest, his involvement in hazardous drinking drinking over the weekend, and his need to hire a “driving under the influence” lawyer to represent his DUI case.

After reflecting on Derek’s “story,” the nurse that was part of the company employee’s assistance program went over Derek’s immediate “action plan” that he needed to address and follow. First, he would be required to take a DUI class to learn more DUI facts and information. Second, he would also be required to take an alcohol abuse class to address his possible drinking problem. Third, he would be required to see a psychologist, counselor, psychiatrist, or therapist about his depression. And finally, it would be a particularily sensible thing to do if he were to talk with a DUI lawyer about his “drunk driving” arrest.

Derek Feels Comfort Knowing That He Will Learn From His Oversight and Grow To Be Even More Responsible

It was clear that Derek was highly displeased with the entire DUI state of affairs, but after talking to the Human Resources manager and to the therapist inside the company employee’s assistance program, he felt encouraged that he would actually learn from his oversight and grow to be even more healthy and balanced, much more responsible, and an even more thankful individual.

Russ dropped out of high school when he was sixteen years old and eventually got a job at a local brewery. For the past six years he has gained a reputation as a hard-working person who rarely calls off work because of sickness.

About four months ago he started dating a woman named Emma. They appeared to get along real well immediately and looked like they had a lot of fun together.

The Heavy and Excessive Drinking Begins

When Russ met Emma, he hardly ever drank. This circumstance totally changed when they began dating on a fairly normal basis. Actually, everything was going great until Emma called Russ one night approximately 2 AM and said that she had to breakup and that she couldn’t explain the reason at that moment.

The next morning before he went to work, Russ drove to her apartment and immediately discovered that Emma had already moved out. Russ took this awfully hard. In point of fact, he was astonished because they seemed to be getting along so well.

When Irresponsible Drinking Leads to Work Problems

So what did Russ do? Rather than working through his pain and sorrow, he started getting drunk almost every night. It didn’t take long for his coworkers or for his supervisor to notice that Russ was coming to work late at least once per week and that he frequently called off sick. Moreover, some of the workers made an appointment with staff in the HR Department and stated that Russ often came to work with a strong odor of alcohol on his breath or on his clothes.

Russ’s supervisor heard about all of this from Human Resources and also from Russ’s co-workers. So one Monday afternoon he called Russ into his office. He told Russ that he had recently noticed an extreme change in his work performance, attendance, behavior, and in his sick time.

When a Boss Can Motivate an Employee to Get Help For His or Her Abusive Drinking

Russ’s manager also said that a number of his fellow employees reported him to Human Resources because he had been coming to work with a noticeable smell of alcohol. His manager then stated the following: “Russ, your co-workers are not reporting you to HR to get you into any trouble or because they don’t like you but instead because they care about you. And I am concerned too. I don’t want to pry into your life, but it is obvious that you are exhibiting some of the well known symptoms and signs of abusive drinking. Consequently, I want you to go and see a therapist in the employee’s assistance program to discuss your drinking and your depression.”

“Russ, I’m no healthcare professional or a therapist, but I have seen more than a few of my relatives and friends experience some very negative alcohol side effects. Furthermore, I have also seen the signs of alcoholism first-hand in my own family. When individuals experience problems with drinking, these issues not only affect the drinker, but they also make an impact on his or her friends, co-workers, relatives, neighbors, and family.”

Russ admired his boss very much and as a result followed through with his recommendation the very next day when he called and scheduled an appointment with a therapist in the employee’s assistance program.

Russ is Still Depressed But Feels Some Hope That He Will Get Back on Track With His Life

Although Russ didn’t necessarily feel any better or less depressed about the pain in his heart about Emma, he felt comfort knowing that his supervisor and his fellow employees cared about him and wanted what’s best for him. This gave him some psychological relief for the first time in more than a few weeks and he frankly felt some hope that he would get back on track with his life.